Reining Optimism

Challenge

To quote the great Seamus Heaney, ‘Anyone born and bred in Northern Ireland can’t be too optimistic”. I choose to see this as a reference to our ongoing (deeply boring but always entertaining) political situation here in Northern Ireland/North of Ireland.

Solution

To that end I have been photographing MPs, MLAs, Politicians, Councillors, Journalists and Commentators who work in and are surrounded by the politics of Ireland. My goal has been to try and capture reality, normality and humanity in the subjects. In essence, getting some of the most uptight people you can imagine to let their guard down.

Result

An ongoing project, with moments stolen in corridors, offices, stairwells. Just me, a light, a wooden box and my subject.